Means for controlling advancement of stock



Aug 6, 1946., W.,B. EWING MEANS FOR CONTROLLING ADVANCEMENT OF STOCK Filed May 26, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 I mmvrozz. WALKLEY B.EWING BY Mud 4 ATTORNEYS Aug. 6, 1946. w EWING ,405,l8

MEANS FOR CONTROLLING ADVANCEMENT OF STOCK Filed May 26, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 ZNVENTOR.

WALKLEY B. EWING A EYS Aug, 6,1946. w. B. EWENG MEANS FOR CONTROLLING ADVANCEMENT OF STOCK 5 Sheet-Sheet 4 Filed May 26, 1943 IN VEN TOR. WALK LEY- B. EW l N G 'ATToMEYs Aug: mm, W. B. Ewms 2A5 I KEANS FOR CONTROLLING ADVANCEMENT OF STOCK Filed May 26, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Y JNVENTORJ 0y o WALKLEY azwme BY ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 6, 1946 MEANS FOR CONTROLLING ADVANCEMENT OF STOCK Walkley B. Ewing, Frankfort, Mich., assignor to Ewing Development Company, Bay City, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application May 26, 1943, Serial No. 488,612

Claims. 1

This invention relates generally to means for controlling the advancement of stock and refers more particularly to means for controlling the advancement of sheet material through a machine having cooperating punch and die assemblies for transforming the sheet material into sun screens. a

One of the essential objects of the invention is to provide a machine wherein means is provided for controlling the advancement of the stock so that it may advance in fast, short strokes through the machine.

Another object is to provide a machine wherein two means, preferably arranged in tandem, is provided for successively stopping or limiting the advancement of the sheet material.

Another object is to provide a machine where in both means just mentioned are carried by but are movable relative to a reciprocating punch assembly of the machine.

Another object is to provide a machine wherein both means operate in timed relation to each other and to the punch assembly during reciproof construction of this invention will be made more apparent as this description proceeds, especially .when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the main frame of the machine, with a schematic assembly of the drive shaft, two eccentric shafts and connectors upon the supports therefor carried by said frame;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view through the machine at the center line thereof, with parts in elevation;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional View through the slitter and folder punch and die assemblies;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view through the slitter punch assembly and cooperating die assembly when the punch assembly is in fully raised position, with the stripper bar in raised position to permit advancement of the sheet material, and the spring pressed insert in lowered position to limit such advancement, and showing by dotted lines the further, advancement of the sheet material;

Figure 5 i a detail elevational View of one of the spacers in the slitter punch assembly;

Figure 6 is an edge elevation of the spacer illustrated in Figure 5;

Figure '7 is a horizontal sectional view through the upright beam and bearing for the eccentric shafts for actuating the same;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary elevational view of the upright beam and bearing sleeves illustrated in Figure '7 Figure 9 is an end view of the structure illustrated in Figure 8;

Figure 10 is an elevational view of the drive means and support therefor;

Figure 11 is an end elevation of the structure illustrated in Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on line I2-I2 of Figure 11 and shown partly in dotted lines to disclose the bed therewith.

Figure 13 is an enlarged front elevation of a smal1 portion of a preferred form of sun screen made by the machine;

Figure 14 is a cross sectional view taken on the line I4M of Figure 13;

Figure 15 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of a slitted blank used in making the sun screen illustrated in Figures 13 and 14; and

Figure 16 is a perspective view of the blank of Figure 15 partially folded into the screen structure illustrated in Figures 13 and 14.

The sun screen produced by a machine embodying my invention is formed by slitting and folding a single sheet of material and consists of a series of parallel strips 2 of elongated cross section which are vertically superposed at equal intervals not greatly exceeding, and preferably approximately equal to, the width of a strip, and are inclined, preferably at least 45, and perhaps as much as to the general plane of the screen, i. e. to the Vertical.

As shown, each individual strip 2 extends horizontally across the screen and lies in a single plane. Preferably each strip 2 is offset regularly in the same direction at equal intervals along it length, as at 3, the distance of offset not exceeding about three-fourths the width of the strip, and being advantageously about one-half such width. The strip 2 are joined together by vertical rows of legs 4 formed of sheet material integral with that of the strips, each leg having a width substantially equal to the regular offset distance of each strip, i. e. not greater than about three-fourths the width of a strip, and connecting a front portion 5 of a strip with the corresponding oppositely offset rear edge 6 of an adjacent strip. The rows of legs 4 are ordinarily spaced apart a distance large in comparison to the intervals between adjacent strips. As will be seen from the drawings, the legs 4 are inclined to the general plane of the screen, and are also rather sharply inclined to the strips to which they are attached. The legs in any given row are ordinarily in the same or in parallel vertical planes, and preferably have their centers all in the same vertical line, in order to give a generally rectangular appearance to th screen.

While the sun screen is illustrated with only two oifsets per strip and two rows of legs, it will be appreciated that it may comprise any number of offsets and corresponding rows of legs, to :form a screen of the desired dimensions. In general, the width of a strip will be from one-eight to one-half inch, and the distance between rows of legs one-half to five inches, although other sizes are equally possible. The screen is usual-lyfabr-icated of thin sheet metal, but may also be formed of other flexible, strong materials, such as synthetic plastic sheet.

For the purpose of definition, the sun screen may also be considered as comprising .a plurality of parallel vertically superposed horizon-tally extending series of strip elements, :the individual elements of each horizontal series being inclined to the general plane of the screen and to the horizontal and being interconnected in offset relation, and leg members connecting the strip elements of each horizontal series with the corresponding elements of adjacent horizontal series. In this concept, the individual elements of each horizontal series of strip elements are preferably interconnected by offset members .in such manner that the said elements and said offset members together constitute a single integral strip lying in one plane.

in making th sun screen of the invention, the sheet material or blank from which the screen is to be fabricated is first preferably slit and is then formed into the screen. Preferably this blank comprises a sheet substantially r-homboidal .in shape and having therein on the bias :to an edge thereofa plurality of like parallel series of parallel regularly offset overlapping slits, said slitted sheet thus defining a plurality of parallel continuous regularly offset strip members interconnected at their corresponding oppositely off- .set portions by leg members.

As shown in Figure -1 5=the parallel slits are all disposed at a bias angle 1, determined as hereinafter explained, and are arranged in "a plurality of like parallel series, as at 8 and 8'. The individual lines within a series are regularly offset -9 a distance which does not exceed about threefourths the distance between corresponding .lines of adjacent series, and overlap at their offset positions a distance which does not greatly exceed, and need not equal, the distance between corresponding lines of adjacent series. -As a result of this slitting,*there are formed parallel continuous regularly offset strip members 2 interconnected at their corresponding oppositely offset portions by leg members 4.

The blank slitted as described is formed into a sun screen by successively displacing each strip member diagonally downward and backward in the bias direction to force the strips into substantially parallel planes and to cause the le members to become inclined to the-strips and to th eneral plane of the resulting screen. A partially folded blank showing two of the strip members already displaced into position is :i-llus tra-ted'in Figure 16,

The displacement of the strip members 2 and the concurrent formation of the legs 4, may be rendered more accurate by defining on the blank fold lines 9 to mark the point of juncture of the leg members 4 with the strips 2, either by suitably crimping the blank or by other means. The fold lines 9 are ordinarily oblique to the long edges of the strips 2 and are preferably in the same or parallel planes.

The angle at which the strips 2 are inclined to the general plane of the screen is controlled by three factors, i. e. the angle of the fold lines, the bias angle '1, and the degree of fold imparted to the leg members 4. In making the screen, these angles and the various dimensions of the strips 2 and leg members 4 are chosen so that, in the final screen, the strips 2 have an inclination capable of providing the desired protection from direct sunlight. The precise choice of these angles and dimensions is made from mathematical formulas which have been developed from the geometry of the screen and theblank.

The :screen may be fabricated by extremely simple means from a single sheet of material, and can be made in any desired size. The metal in the screen is not under stress, having been merely folded into position. The structure presents only smooth, flat surfaces, and hence collects little dust or dirt, and can be'easily cleaned. If desired, it may be rolled up for shipping,

Referring now to the machine for making the sun screen, A is the main frame having a base H1, uprights H and 1.2 respectively at opposite ends of the base, and a top l3 mounted upon the uprights. B is .an auxiliary frame mounted Within the main frame A .at the bottom thereof and constituting a support for a die assembly C and feed bed D; .and T4 is a horizontally disposed T-beam extending between and terminally secured to the uprights I I and I2 of the mainframe in upwardlyand rearwardly-olfset relation to the auxiliary 'frameiB.

5, It and i7 respectively are parallel horizontal shafts disposed obliquely to the longitudinal median line of the main frame and supported from the top l3 thereof and adapted to be driven from a motor (not shown) or other suitable power plant upon "the top ['3 of the frame. Preferably the shafts IS, IS and I! respectively are mounted in suitable bearings withinsleeves 2i suspended by a bracket 22 from a plate 23 rigidly secured to the underside of the top I3 of th frame.

In the present instance the shaft {5 is a rotating shaft, while the shafts l6 and 1'! respectively merely-oscillate and are driven in unison from the shaft [5. As shown, a double crank arm '24 is carried by the shaft [1 and is connected by rods 25 and 26 respectively to cranks 2! and 28 respectively carried by the shafts l5 and it. Thus, rotary movement of the shaft [5 will be trans lated by the crank 21, red 25 and crank 24 into oscillating movement for the shaft 17, and such oscillating movement of shaft I! will be transmitted by the rod 2 6 and crank 2-8 to the shaft I 6 so that both shafts t6 and H will oscillate in unison.

Preferably the shafts l6 and 1 7 have eccentric portions 29 and 30 respectively carrying bearings for tubular sleeves 3-! and 32 respectively from which a vertical 'Lbeam 33 is suspended in substarrtially vertical alignment with the auxiliary frame 13 for actuating simultaneously a s'litter punch assembly E and a folder punchassembly F relative to athedie assembly C.

The punch assembly E rediprocates vertically relative to the die assembly C to provide slits such as 8, 8 in the sheet material, while the folder punch assembly F oscillates relative. to the-die assembly C to fold portions of the sheet material beside the slits into louvers and interconnecting legs such as 2 and 4 respectively.

The folder punch assembly F is beside but separate from the punch assembly E and is secured to a depending leg or flange 34 of the I-beam 33 so as to oscillate in unison therewith as such beam isv actuated by the eccentrics 29 and 38 of the shafts I6 and IT. A yoke 35 straddles the punch assembly E and the base 36 of the Iebeam 33 and cooperates with said base for translating the oscillating movement of the I-beam into a vertical reciprocating movement for the punch assembly E. In this connection it will be noted that the yoke 35 is guided vertically-by the head of the T-beam I4 carried by the main frame and that the punch assembly E is guided vertically by means of pins 31 mounted upon the auxiliary frame B.

The die assembly C has a base 48 mounted upon the auxiliary frame B beneath the feed bed D and includes a slitter die H and a folder die J. Preferably the slitter die H is clamped between sections 4| and 4| of a suitable holder M on the base 48 at the inner end of the feed bed D, while.

the folder die J is anchored upon the outer section 4| of the holder for the slitter die H. Any suitable means such as a clamp 42 and bolts 43 and 44 respectively may b employed to fasten the holder sections 4|, 4| to the bas 48.

The slitter die H has plate-like blades 58 and plate-like spacers 5| beside said blades. The upper ends 62 of the spacers 5| are'flat and are preferably arranged in stepped relation to each other and to the upper ends of the slitter blades 58.

The folder die J comprises a series of block-like members 65 which are anchored by bolts 66 upon the outer sections 4| of the die holders M in stepped relation to the spacers 5|, and are provided at their outer edges with stepped undercut portions 61 and 68 respectively.

The punch assembly E includes a holder 18 having a head 1| between the base 36 of the I- beam 33 and the lower arm 35 of the yoke 35, and clamping sections 12 and 13 respectively which are carried by the head 1| within a recess I4 in the lower forward corner thereof. The slitter blades 59 of the punch assembly are disposed in upright staggered overlapping parallel relation to each other between plate-like spacers I5 and 16. Any suitable means such as bolts 11 and I8 may be used to hold together the clamping sections 12 and I3, and any suitable means such as the bolts I9, 88 and 8| respectively may be used to fasten the clamped sections 12 and 13 to the head '|I.

When assembled between the sections 12 and 13, the lower working ends of the slitter blades 58 project slightly below the lower ends of the spacers 16 so as to overlap in scissor-like formation the cutting edges of the slitter blades 58 on the downward stroke of the punch holder I8 to effect the slitting operation. The lower ends of the spacers and clamping sections 13 are substantially flush with each other and are disposed in lowered stepped relation to the lower working ends of the blades 58.

The folder punch assembly F comprises a die holder 82 rigid with the depending flange 34 of the I-beam 33, and folder blades 83, 84 and 85 respectively within a recess 86 in the lower end of the holder 82 are held in assembled relation therein by means of a clamping wedge 81 that is bolted or otherwise suitably connected to the holder. As shown, the blades 83 to 85 inclusive are arranged in overlapping inwardly inclined relation with the lower working ends thereof in downwardly stepped relation for mating engagement with the top and undercut portions 61 and 68 of the die blocks 65. I

In the present instance, the sheet material X is fed from a power driven roll thereof (not shown) onto and along the feed bed D beneath the T-beam' I4 to the slitter punch and die assemblies E and H respectively which collectively constitute the first station where the slits 8, 8' are successively formed. Such material X is then advanced to the: folder punch and die assemblies F and J which collectively constitute the second station where portions of the material beside the slits are folded into inclined relation to the sheet material to form the louvers 2 and legs 4 of the sun screen.

A strip-per bar- 98 is movable vertically within a suitable recess 9| in the lower end of the clamping section 12 of the holder I8 for engagement with the sheet material X to partially control the advancement thereof to the two stations mentioned. As shown, this stripper bar 98 is connected to the lower end of a vertical bolt 92 slidab ly mounted in the clampin section I2 and having the head 93 thereof within a recess 94 l in said clampingsection. A coil spring 95 is sleeved upon the bolt 92 within an enlarged recess 96 in the clamping section I2 and in a similar recess 91 in the stripper bar 98 and urges the latter downwardly upon the sheet material X to hold it against such advancement. However, when the head 93 of bolt 92 engages the, bottom of the recess 94 in the clamping section 12 during the upward movement of the punch holder 18, the stripper bar 98 will be raised to permit advancement of the sheet material from the first station to the second station. Cooperating with the stripper bar 98 is an insert I88 slidably mounted within the spacer 15 and normally urged downwardly by a coil spring |8I in saidspacer into the path of the advancing sheet mahas passed the first station.

During the initial upward movement of the holder I8, the stripper bar 98 will be held down by the spring 95 in engagement with the sheet material X to prevent it from advancing until the insert; I88 in spacer 15 reaches its fully projected downward position. Thus, clearance is provided between the insert I88 and the spacers 5| to permit advancement of the sheet material but such advancement is still prevented by the stripper bar 98. During final upward movement of the punch holder I8 the stripper bar 98 is raised as aforesaid out of contact with the sheet material to permit its advancement. The sheet material will then be advanced until the forwar edge of the sheet abuts the insert I88.

Upon the initial downward stroke of the holder I8 the stripper bar 98 will move downwardly to again engage and hold the sheet material against advancement. Upon the final downward stroke of the holder 18 the insert I88 will engage and be pressed upwardly into the spacer 15 by the upper end of the lowermost spacer 5|. Thus, the sheet material is alternately held and released for advancement during reciprocation of the holder 18.

, In use, the shafts I6 and I! are oscillatedin :ur'iison whenxlther shaft :i is rrotated, :hence the flebeamc33 tcarriedcby :the eccentric portions 129 eandr 3 Ozrespectively :ohsaidsshafts is: likewise nscil- :lated. v

:During Ithe .zdownward :swinging. .tmovement :of thezbeam 33-.thelfd1iierfpu1i6h assembly Fcarried 'therebynwillibe moved inz 'an zarcr down land? back :relative .:to the recuperating zfolder Ldie assembly J to efiect a folding operationgandthe punch .i'assemblyfi willrbesmoved vertically downwaxd by time baset'ii df the1beam'ztocooperatewith the fdie assein'bly H ltb' fifct 1a slitting foperation. i'hus-laxslittingaoperation and aifoldingroperation zareizperiormed;simultaneously during the downwardeswingin imovementfofz theibeam 33.

:During zthe: upward movement ofethe beam 3 athe :folder fpunc'htassemblyaF will be'moved inian riarc upwardly and :forwardlylsaway from the die wals'senibly iLian dthe punch-assembl B will be iticallly upward away i from :the die assembly H.

Consequently the punch assemblies E and 'Fwill :be -raised simultaneously. fLIn-fact, reciprocating movement is translated to the slitter punch as- '1 sembly-Etfroniithe oscillating beam 33whileioscillatingfmovement is imparted. directlyLto the iolder punch. assembly by said beam.

The sheet material to he formed into sun screens 5 is iied onto and along the feed :bed D under the T-"beam t4 lto the"s'tripper bar 90.

' When therpunch assemblyE isifirst fully-raised bytheyoke 35:and beam "33 "as aforesaid, the -sheet materialswill:be?advanced until the forward 'IElidilJhEI'EOffiblillS the adjacent side of the spring projected insert lllfl' which'will serve as a'temporaryi'stopithereforgas illustrated in Figure 4.

"U pen the f first downward stroke of the unch 'assenibly'E relative to the'die assembly H, the coopera'ting cuttin'g wedges of a the blades and 5S willoverlapone anotherto form aslit in the sheet material, consequently the blade 5B will *depress Lbelowthe upper end of the blade 58 the portion of'ithe material -between the forward e'nd thereof tionhetween the 'forward end *of the sheet and" the rforwardiedge of "the formed slit, 'to be advanced rabeneaththerprojected insert mil.-

During the nextidownward stroke 'of the punch zassembly E relative'to the die assembly H, a secon'dj'slit will: he formed as aforesaicl by the blades l -50rand 58 in'the :sheet materiatin staggered overlapping parallel relation to the i first Imentioned slit; and :the portion: of "the material between the first and second zslits rwill 'be depressed 'blowithe rear edge or thezsecond'f'ormeds'slit.

When th punch iassem bly E :is :again :runv raised, the: sheet materialuwill ib'e xa'dvanced until 'the' rear edge of theisecondirfbrmed slit abuts the F adjacentside 50f the: spring .prdjectedi insert [B0,

: and'rsuch advancement of the:materiahvillt'cause' l -the :first mentioned "depressedi portion oi" themaiterial to I be: advanced over th .foldertdie J, and "will cause the "second tmentioned depressed portion to be advanced beneath the projected in'sert Thus, the sheet zmaterial :will be successively .zadvanced a distancefequalitozthe width ofa de- "pressewportion each time the punch 'assemblyE .is' fully raised during vertical reciprocationthere- After a sixth slit is: formed as 'aioresaid'iin'the sheet material bylthe'blades iifl and'58, the ma- .terial willlha've advanced further until #the: first mentioned depressedportion 'ofithe material, i.- e. the portion between :the forwardle'n'd of the material "land the first slit, is positioned between the working portions EL-'68, 83, 84 and 85 respectively ofthepunch and die assemblies F and -J.

'When a seventh slit is being formed in the sheet material 'thepunch and die elements- 87, 68, 83, T84 and '85 respectivelyof the assemblies l and J will fold :the first mentioned depressed portion of ithe material downward and backward to provide an inclined louver 2 and leg '4. Thereafter, during each'downwardstroke' of the beam'33; a foldingtoperation'to produce'a louver 2 and leg 4 occurs simultaneously with a slitting operation as :the sheet material is advanced as aforesaid through'the machine.

When a slit is formed in the sheet material, the cutting edges of the blades-50 andSB formingthe slit "have a'scissor-like action which causes a louver! to be slightly-preformed by a slightdisplacement 'of' the material beside saidslit. Inasmuch as'the beveled portions-'53 and BB respectively of the blades are opposed to one another in advance 'of the cutting edges of said'blades when the latter "are in operative working position, it will be 'apparentthat a leg-4 is also'sli'g'htly preformed during this slitting operation. In this connection it will beappreciated that thebla'des "5!! vand 58 have corresponding portions53 and'lifl respectivelyat opposite upright edges thereof and have cutting edges at opposite sides thereof, hence such'blades maybe readily reversed whenever-deflsiredto'provide double life thereto. It will also be appreciated Tthat the spring pressed insert I00 and the stripper bar 'cooperatewith each other in 'such a' way that the 'sheet' material may be advanced rapidly and accurately through the machine.

What I claim as myinvention is:

1. 'Amachine having'a stationary die assembly, a; punch assembly movable relative to the die asf'sembly toitransform sheet material'into a -predet'erminedconfiguratiom and means carried by and movable'relative to thepun'ch assembly for alterinat'elyl permitting!anii che'cking the advancement "of: sheettmaterial 7' relative to the die assembly.

2. 'A machine having a stationary die assembly, and a punch assembly movable relative to the "die assemblytotransform sheet material into a predetermined configuration andzincluding means operable automatically when the punch assembly is in a predetermined position relative to the die assembly for checkingihe advancement: of sheet :material relative to the'die assembly.

:3. A"ma'chineiffor slitting sheets comprising a --table -over which the :sheet is advanced .under continuous forwards pressure, a die member having a :series of 'tshea'ring edge "with "overlapping portions arranged intheplane oi. thetable-and adepressed :step "beyondl'the same, :a-rpunch provided with a cooperating :shearing edge and adapted to press the sheared portion againstlsaid step without any stretching or: the metal,r=a stop "carried :byv ssai'd 'punchzspace'd. .in 'advance of i the .shearing ledgetthereofl equal ito the 'width 'of; said step, :sa'id stoprinzzthe rrtracted .positionzo'f said jrpunch'rextending 'into:the path'oftthe :portionzof 9 said sheet on the table but clearing the depressed sheared portion thereof whereby said sheet will be successively advanced step by step.

4. A machine for slitting sheets comprising a table over which the sheet is advanced under continuous forward pressure, a die member havinga series of spaced overlapping shearing edges and a depressed step beyond each of said edges, a

punch provided with a corresponding series of cooperating shearing edges, a plurality of stops carried by said punch spaced in advance of shear- 1 ing edges thereof, said stops in the downward;- movement of the punch depressing the shearedi 10 tinuous forward pressure, a die member formed of a series of overlapping spaced shearing blades with the cutting edges thereof in the plane of the table and with depressed steps beyond each cutting edge, a punch formed of a corresponding series of overlapping spaced shearing blades for cooperating with the blades of the die member, and a plurality of resiliently yieldable stops carried by said punch spaced in advance of the corresponding blades and in the raised position thereof extending below the same to be in the path of the portion of the sheet lying on the table while clearing the depressed sheared portions thereof said steps in the downward movement of the punch depressing the sheared portions against said steps without stretching the metal,

and a stripper carried by said punch for holding said sheet to the table during the withdrawal of the punch from the die member but releasing said sheet in the fully retracted position of the punch whereby said sheet will be successively advanced step by step following each punching operation.

WALKLEY B. EWING. 

